In a crowded lavish event on Friday that violated safety and health protocols to prevent COVID-19 from further spreading, the Nigerian government organised a so-called launch of the coronavirus vaccine, except for a few seats reserved for dignitaries.

In photos splashed on its Twitter account, neither the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 nor the NPHCDA officials, health workers present to receive the vaccine jabs, maintained social distancing even though many of them were seen put on a face mask.

The unnecessarily lavish event was organised to launch the vaccine and kick-off the country’s vaccination drive to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Frontline health workers on Friday morning at the lavish launch received AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines at the National Hospital, Abuja.

“The day is here!

“It’s the National Flag-off Ceremony for COVID-19 Vaccination taking place at the National Hospital Abuja, by Boss Mustapha, SGF/Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on #COVID19. Excited!,” the agency announced via its Twitter handle.

It displayed photos showing dignitaries like the Speaker of the National House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in attendance, seated in a lavishly decorated venue.

On Thursday, Mr. Shuaib had hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would be vaccinated on Saturday and members of the Federal Executive Council get their own jabs Monday.

The government said 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines approved by NAFDAC arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday.

The Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, stated that the government hoped to vaccinate about 70 percent of Nigeria’s 200 million within two years.

“The long-awaited day is here, by which Nigerians join others the global community to be vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19 virus. For us in the health sector, it is the start of a tedious but hopeful exercise,” the health minister said on Friday during the lavish event.

He added, “The vaccination campaign we kick off today will be in four phases, and will align with the planned arrival of vaccines in batches. Each phase targets a specific segment of our eligible population, to ensure equity in vaccine deployment.

“Defined frontline health workers are prioritised globally, for vaccination against COVID-19, due to their exposure to the risk infection with COVID-19 virus in the course of duty.”